Alumni Spotlight: Ashley Carter

21CL Alumna Ashley Carter is a graduate of Midtown High School (2016), of University Of Georgia (2020) and headed back to University of Georgia for her PMBA, She currently works as a Software Instructor for Blackbaud and has previously worked as a multimedia journalist in Atlanta, Georgia. Ashley enjoys volunteering and uplifting others and believes that growth and learning never end.  “When I was at a low point in my life during high school, I remember joining the 21CLUB at my school. We gave back to the community, got to hear from different speakers, gaining life lessons at each meeting and grew as leaders. Eventually I joined the 21CLub’s leadership because I felt better overall while uplifting others.” – Ashley Carter

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am a software instructor for a technology company called Blackbaud. I train hundreds of accountants each month, from non-profits around the world, how to navigate and use Blackbaud’s software solution, Financial Edge NXT. I previously worked in television news in Atlanta and Myrtle Beach. The skills I utilized in the news business have been essential to me striving and growing in my role.

Which programs did you participate in? How did the skills/tools/perspectives you acquired from 21CL prepare you for your next steps, going into college, taking on new leadership roles in your community, college and after?

The 21st Century Leaders community is unmatched! When I was at a low point in my life during high school, I remember joining the 21CLUB at my school. We gave back to the community, got to hear from different speakers, gaining life lessons at each meeting, and grew as leaders. Eventually I joined the 21CLub’s leadership because I felt better overall while uplifting others, as I was growing into womanhood. Those strong values of service have been instilled in me. Ms. Van Atta (the 21CLub Advisor) at Midtown High School played a key role by taking us in as we were and never judged. That made my time in the club so much nicer! I later got to attend one of the 21CL Summer Leadership Institutes, Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience, currently known as Future Leaders Institute – an experience I will never forget! That week was so fun and insightful, and it’s a huge reason I went on to study journalism at the University of Georgia! Those skills I gained from that camp are still used up to today even in my current role. On top of all of that, the friends I have made during my 21CL days are still in my life!

Do you have a memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

Something I will never forget about 21st Century Leaders is when I was home one summer, following my senior year of high school and after an internship ended abruptly; I called 21st Century Leaders’ office to see if they had work that I could help with. They immediately created a position for me, and during that summer I got a real world work experience before college! I got to see behind the scenes of how tough their work is to support thousands of high school students, yet the staff does it with such grace. I knew from that point forward, that 21st Century Leaders’ mission was bigger than just programs and meetings… it is truly to make a better tomorrow! I will never forget that!

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so, how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

Overall, in each role I have held, I can adapt and pivot quickly. I also have been commended for taking feedback and promptly applying that to my workflows to make outcomes greater.  Something I have learned through 21st Century Leaders is that it is important to adapt to continue growing. Growth and learning never end. I also know, as I continue to elevate, it is important to reach back to uplift others. Community service continues to be at the center of my life! I am so grateful for that.

Alumni Spotlight: Mercy Ogutu

21CL Alumna  Mercy Ogutu is a graduate of Druid Hills High School  (2019) and currently a Senior at Trinity Washington University (2023) double majoring in Political Science and International Affairs. She holds many leadership positions in her college, community and at the national level advocating for policy change in higher education, healthcare and more. During high school she attended our Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI @Goizueta), which sparked her passion for public speaking. Mercy grew up not seeing representation and her goal is to always create and advocate for the environment where everyone feels welcomed, heard, and inspired to lead change! 

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I’m Mercy Ogutu, a Senior at Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC, double majoring in Political Science and International Affairs with a minor in Africana Studies. Born in Kenya and raised in Atlanta, Ga, I am a student-leader on campus, in the community, and across the nation. I hold several leadership positions; currently I am the Executive Secretary of the DC College Democrats, Communications Director of the Black Student Alliance, Chairwoman of the Trinity Washington Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and a Tennis Representative on the NCAA Division III National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). On Division III National SAAC, I am in my second term as the Chairwoman on the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group and I am a student-athlete representative on the NCAA Minorities Opportunities and Interests Committee, Interpretations and Legislative Committee, and the Mental Health Advisory Group. I have created and led student-based initiatives focused on professional development, mental health awareness, civic engagement, and increasing diversity and inclusion in athletic, academic, and professional spaces.

On Thursday, January 20th, 2022 at the NCAA 2022 Convention alongside with my fellow panelists, I gave a discussion on the importance of mental health awareness, and of education and recommended practices to support the well-being of student-athletes. This May, I interned for Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff in the United States Senate and in the spring of 2020, I interned for the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, in the House of Representatives. On campus, I am working with my fellow peers to help students navigate career goals, learn networking skills, and to lead change. 

Which programs did you participate in? How did the skills/tools/perspectives you acquired from 21CL prepare you for your next steps, going into college, taking on new leadership roles in your community, college and after?

I participated in the Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI @Goizueta) in 2018 and my favorite part was hearing the different stories of the 40Under40 panelists, unique journeys of finding their passion for their careers and the change they were making in their communities. During the 21CL summer institute, I learned to communicate effectively, use my voice for change, and organize ideas into solutions. I also got inspired to create change in my community, to help students navigate their career interests, acquire leadership skills, and to expand student-based initiatives.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

21st Century Leaders helped me to see there is no age requirement to be the change you want to see in your community. After my summer at 21st Century Leaders’ summer leadership institute, I started my journey of working towards my goal of going to Washington, DC for school to one day become a policy advisor in higher education policies. I found my voice in wanting to advocate for change in higher education policies after my own struggles of understanding and navigating the cost of college as an immigrant student from a low-income community. 

Do you have a memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

It was at SYLI when I introduced one of the speakers for our workshop that I found my passion for public speaking! Since then, I have gotten to write the commencement speech for my 2019 high school graduation and share my research of educational policies at the House of Representatives, United States Senate, the White House, and at national conferences.

I believe that leadership comes from inspiration, being inspired and inspiring others to find their voice and see their true potential! I grew up not seeing representation and my goal is to always create and advocate for the environment where everyone feels welcomed, heard, and inspired to lead change. Everyone has a story and it’s through those stories we can connect, learn, and grow with each other. 

 21st Century Leaders helped me find my voice and meeting incredible student leaders from across Georgia gave me inspiration to continue making change, however big or small!

Alumni Spotlight: Matthew I. George

21CL Alumnus Matthew George is our alumni spotlight for April 2022. A graduate of Alpharetta High School (2019) and a third year student at Young Harris College  (2023), Matthew was one of our 2019 Georgia Youth Leadership Award winners and is currently interning for The Council of State Governments as a public policy analyst. In this post he shares about his great experience during 21CL days, the connections he made and how it all impacted him! 

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now

Hello, I am Matthew and go by Teo! I am a third year student at Young Harris College and recently I embarked on a journey to Washington DC interning for The Council of State Governments as a Policy Analyst. I communicate public policy research and engage in ongoing policy projects focused on providing state leaders policy options and solutions via non-partisan research. Working with the national policy shop on federal grant projects with the Department of Defense, Department of Labor, and Department of Education.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

21st Century Leaders was a great way to make connections, both with fellow 21CL peers, mentors and the members of corporate organizations at each of the events I attended. This catalyzed the creation of a robust network of professionals that assisted me in many ways including advancing my portfolio and resume experience.

Which programs did you participate in? How did the skills/tools/perspectives you acquired from 21CL prepare you for your next steps, going into college, taking on new leadership roles in your community, college and after?

I participated in several 21CL programs throughout my high school years – summer, fall and winter leadership programs, all! In tandem with the previous question, it is all about the connections! One of the programs, the WarnerMedia Institute for Future Leaders, fostered an internship with Adult Swim the following summer. I’ve maintained these contacts and now applied to a new program with CNN in Washington DC!

During my senior year of high school, I ran for student body president and later applied as peer leadership for incoming freshman. In college, I actively participated in leadership positions within our Student Government Association and some of our local organizations on campus. Additionally, a fellow 21CL partner from the Turner program is also at Young Harris College!

Do you have a memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

There’s this one moment I distinctly remember walking out into the hallway at CNN and bumping into Carl Azuz. I froze in my tracks. After hearing him speak about his time at CNN, I realized broadcast news, writing, and/or analysis would be the way, consequently leading into a position with Adult Swim. EarthCare was my first 21CL program and I am not going to lie, I registered for it as a mistake (tehe). Nonetheless, it was SUCH a great experience, and I really enjoyed my time there! Additionally, I moved to the United States in 2016 and the experience helped with my transition, opening ideas of career pathways I had not considered in the past.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

Since 21CL days, I have been a shift supervisor at Starbucks in multiple locations, a Peer Leader, Orientation Leader, and involved in local politics – there has never been a consistent day with a steady workflow and I must say that the servant leadership skills developed and honed with 21CL have been crucial to every experience. 21CL is near and dear to my heart, and I loved the entire experience!

 

Alumni Spotlight: Skylar Nicholson

Our Alumni Spotlight for April 2021 is Skylar Nicholson, a graduate of Central Education Center in Newnan, Coweta County (2017), and of the University of Georgia (2020). She is a multimedia journalist completing her master’s degree at the University of Georgia where she doubles in as a teaching assistant in Communication Law. During high school, Skylar participated in many of 21CL’s programs and was a 2017 Georgia Youth Leadership Award (GYLA) recipient. This summer she will be a Fellow with The Wall Street Journal in New York City! 

“I still cannot believe that 21st Century Leaders facilitated the opportunity for me to intern with CNN on the Morning Express with Robin Meade just after graduating high school! Once I was in college, I realized just how hard it is to get internships with organizations like CNN. It is highly competitive. Not only is it hard to get an internship at such a coveted organization, but it is unheard of to have one at such a young age… I got to shadow with the anchors, learn how to edit, pitch story ideas, and even help plan future shoots. It was not just a passive internship. It was an actively engaging experience where I got critical feedback on my skillset to help me grow as a storyteller and journalist.” -Skylar Nicholson

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am a multimedia journalist, completing my master’s degree at the University of Georgia. I am a graduate teaching assistant working with undergraduate students who are taking communication law courses. This summer, I will be a fellow with the Wall Street Journal in New York City.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

21st Century Leaders taught me to learn how to be comfortable in the uncomfortable. In my graduate studies, what I am learning is completely outside of my comfort zone and forcing me to dive headfirst into uncharted territory and new research. It is also putting me in a position of leadership among other undergraduate students to help guide them to success in their own individual studies.

Participating in 21st Century Leader also gave me confidence in questioning social norms and established ways of operation. There are new ways to approach industry problems, and how things have always been done may not be the best route to approach problems now. It gave me the ability to look at an issue or goal from a 360° perspective and then choose the best course of actions with not only end results in mind, but how the goal is achieved with success in terms of teamwork relations, new technology, and how this individual project plays into the grander scheme of operations. Immediate success is not always the best thing; continued perpetual growth is the most important.

And how did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

I feel very fortunate to have been involved with 21st Century Leaders since my sophomore year of high school. 21st Century Leaders gave me the professional skills to have a jumpstart in my career field. It gave me mentors that I am still connected with to this day. It also gave me friendships that I value and would not have established without the summer camps. I met one of my best friends, Willie Daniely (we were interns on the Morning Express together), through this program and we still support each other every step of the way as we pursue our individual careers in the same industry.

In addition, I still cannot believe that 21st Century Leaders facilitated the opportunity for me to intern with CNN on the Morning Express with Robin Meade, just after graduating high school. Once I was in college, I realized just how hard it is to get internships with organizations like CNN. It is highly competitive. Not only is it hard to get an internship at such a coveted organization, but it is unheard of to have one at such a young age. Not only were they able to establish this incredible opportunity, but they made it very individual to my particular interests. I was able to work on a morning show and report to work every morning at 4 am. I got to shadow with the anchors, learn how to edit, pitch story ideas, and even help plan future shoots. It was not just a passive internship. It was an actively engaging experience where I got critical feedback on my skillset to help me grow as a storyteller and journalist.

Completing this internship gave me some credibility on my resume and helped me secure future internships. In all of my future internships and fellowships, I was the first person in that role. 21st Century Leaders taught me to pave the way for new opportunities and to ask, “What might else be out there?” I completed an internship with Newsy (Scripps) in Washington, D.C., covering Capitol Hill’s politics. During my time, I got to report daily packages, cover congressional hearings, and even got to ask a question to the president in a White House press conference. It gave me confidence in my skill set and to take charge of new opportunities.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

Public speaking skills, interview skills, and proper business etiquette were some of my favorite skillsets to learn more about.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

Getting to shadow Robin Meade and working with the production team was an eye-opening experience. It was my first opportunity to really get to see how a newsroom operates and look into what a future career in this industry might be like one day. The team that I worked with was candid with me and provided honest insight into how to start a career with a trajectory for success. I saw female leadership at HLN. This was something that was really inspiring and exciting for me to watch. There was a diverse team, where women and different ethnicities all have an equal voice in the conversation. Everyone had access to share their opinions and feedback was openly accepted. I did a project where I interviewed different anchors, producers, and show staff on how they got to where they were in their careers. Hearing their individual stories was inspiring. Watch her video about interning after high school at HLN.

 Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership?

21st Century Leaders taught me the importance of listening. Truly being present, hearing the people around you, and then choosing how to react. There are many different types of leadership, and it is essential to find what your individual strengths are that make you unique. With my new role as a graduate teaching assistant, I have learned the power of having empathy. Especially in the times of COVID-19, where everyone is dealing with new working conditions and unique external stress, it is vital to approach every situation with compassion and understanding. People are human first, outside of the specific tasks that they complete for a job.

I have gone on to complete additional leadership courses and trainings at the University of Georgia. I was a Levin Leader in 2019 for the Cox Institute. Leadership is something that I want to actively pursue and gain new skills in. No one is born a leader, everyone has an equal chance to become one and step into that position of power, and it is up to us to individually pour the time into enhancing our skillsets, so we are ready when the time arrives.

In the wake of the tornado damage (March 2021) that hit her home city of Newnan, Skylar produced a series of stories highlighting the strength of residents and community recovery. 

View some of Skylar’s other productions and multimedia projects online:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxfLitrEdCU&t=1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ecBbjTaEQ&t=33s

Alumni Spotlight: Kalin Tate

Our second alumni spotlight for October 2020 is Kalin Desiraye Tate, a graduate of Shaw High School (2014) in Columbus, GA and of Spelman College (2018). She currently works as a Marketing Coordinator for Civic Entertainment Group, a Seacrest Global Company in New York City. During high school, Kalin served on the 21CL Youth Advisory Board, which has evolved into the 21CL Youth Ambassadors, and has recently been nominated to serve as a member of 21CL Junior Board of Directors. “21CL put me in touch with people who would eventually change my life.” – Kalin Tate

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am a Marketing Coordinator for Civic Entertainment Group, A Seacrest Global Company in New York City. I work with various Entertainment Brands such as HBO, Lifetime and Audible to execute above and beyond Marketing Campaigns through brand partnerships and Real-Life Experiences.            

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

Attending Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience, catapulted my interest in all things media. During my time at Spelman College, I interned for CNN in Creative Marketing, for Bleacher Report and for Turner Sports which are all sister organizations. It was truly amazing to see it all come full circle! While at Leadership Unplugged I met one of the executives in the CNN Sports department, and I reached out to him to tell him thank you for his time. He connected me with one of his colleagues, who went on to eventually write my recommendation letter for college.  21CL put me in touch with people who would eventually change my life.

How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

21CL taught me the importance of networking and valuing every connection I have made. My college roommate and I met at Leadership Unplugged, we stayed in contact, and even received the same scholarship to Spelman! Maintaining that connection turned into a Sisterhood for a lifetime. During my time at Spelman, I was crowned Miss Morehouse College where I eventually ran an event on maintaining professionalism and proper interview attire. All thanks to 21CL, I had the confidence and knowledge to believe in myself and that put me in the right rooms for the greatest opportunities.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I participated in Leadership Unplugged, the WarnerMedia-sponsored summer leadership institute now known as the WarnerMedia Institute for Future Leaders, in 2012 and served on the Youth Advisory Board for the 2012-2013 term (now known as Youth Ambassadors). Being on the Youth Ambassadors taught me about collaboration and working with many different personalities to execute a project. YA alone taught me about leadership especially by just being a member. Leadership doesn’t always mean being the President or VP of a club, but it means embodying and setting an example everywhere you go.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?

At the Leadership Unplugged final presentations, I realized that I enjoyed presenting with a team in front of clients and peers. All the jobs I pursued in Marketing were client facing roles so I could present to high-end clients. Luckily, it’s what I get to do now everyday!

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

I met so many different personalities during 21CL; it taught me that as a leader I needed to love and accept everyone as they are. Each of us brings something unique to the table and has a different prospective that helps ensure EVERYONE is represented. When I am looking for new colleagues on a project, I think of what can they bring to the table? How do they work with others? Working with many different types of people at 21CL showed me how important it was to appreciate all of the diverse backgrounds, and it is okay to disagree because it may lead to an even better idea overall!

Alumni Spotlight: James Nixon

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Alumni Spotlight: James Nixon

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This month’s Alumni Spotlight features James Nixon, who shares his reflections on the fundamental leadership skills he gained through participating in 21st Century Leaders’ programs in the 1990’s. Now, nearly 20 years later, James is the VP of Administrative & Clinical Services at Tift Regional Health System. He is a graduate of Tift County High School and Mercer University.

At the 10th Annual Georgia Youth Leadership Awards, James delivered his inspirational message about the impact 21CL has had on his personal and professional development, the value of his internships through 21CL, and excitement for the future of leadership.

How did participating in 21st Century Leaders (21CL) change you and/or lead you to where you are now?

21CL was the foundation to my formal business and leadership training.  These skills followed me through my internships, college work and even now.  I still use principles learned from team building modules from our courses.  Likewise, I continue to keep up with life-long friends who I made through 21CL.

What was a memorable or “aha” moment in 21CL (Particular program, meeting a professional, etc?)? 

The biggest “aha” moment in connecting the dots with 21CL is how I forged true friends, some of which, I STILL keep in touch with personally and professionally.  The degrees of separation in the business world and throughout the state are very small.  The world of business and industry intersect on may levels.

Which programs did you participate in, and when?

The first program I attended was in Tifton at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC).  The group of us who met at our first camp planned our remaining summers together each year afterward.  Since then, 21CL has continued to evolve into other specialized programs for youth year-round.

How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. what tools/ perspectives have helped you along the way?

After participating in the program, I later interned with 21CL in the summers during college and served as the assistant director of camps during that time as well.  21CL has had an unquantifiable impact on my professional life.  During my internship, I learned how to present to corporate boards, learned about and worked on fund development and it allowed me to ‘cut my teeth’ as a formal leader and as a mentor.  Prior to my internship with 21CL, my exposure from the program gave me the opportunity to intern with Georgia Power.  My training and relationship from 21CL poised me to intern in a pilot program at the local office.

What is something you recently learned about leadership? 

Of course, we never stop learning.  I was in a training last month; one workshop focused on leadership in our era of dependence on electronic communication as a default method.  The message was:  an email has never built a relationship but has destroyed them countless times.  Never use email as a substitute for communication that is better to be held face-to-face or by phone.

Do you have a reflection or anecdote about a time you put a skill or piece of information you learned through 21st Century Leaders to work as a professional? 

Yes, I used this personally and professionally… from the FISH program, I learned, “even if we disagree, don’t make me wrong.”  This means that there are always different perspectives and often not just one right answer or means to get something accomplished.

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